Volleyball rolls into CIF on 12-match streak

The girlsâ varsity volleyball team began its quest for a second straight state title yesterday, facing Moorpark in the opening round of CIF playoffs, after heading into the postseason with a perfect 10-0 league record.

After starting off the season with an 8-5 record, the squad ripped off 12 straight victories, concluding their regular season with a 3-0 victory over league rival Sacred Heart on senior night.

On the day of the match, senior members of the team wore one piece pajamas as a sign of unity, while junior and sophomore members made signs commemorating the seniors, that were hung on the bulletin boards in the quad.

“We love our seniors and theyâve been great to us and been the most important part of our team this year and we just wanted to show some appreciation,” Jillian McAndrews â10 said.

With all their momentum and incredible recent success, reigning co-CIF Coach of the year Adam Black feels confident about his teamâs chances in the playoffs. “I like where we are at in terms of how we are playing.Â We need to continue to be good over time and everything else will take care of itself,” Black said.

During their 12 match winning streak, the team has lost only four of 40 games.

“I am confident in our preparation that we have been doing all season long,” Black said. “Every day we practice what we want to be good at and what we need to implement in terms of strategy for each game.

Passing has become a constant for us.Â If we continue to take care of that first ball then weâll be ok.”

Coming into the season, youth was a big question for the team, as it lost 11 seniors from last yearâs State Title squad. However the younger members of the squad have stepped up, according to Black. “I think the group overall is very athletic and has translated into some pretty good matches over the course of the season.Â We just need to continue to learn the game and improve every day.”

“Weâve really grown together this year,” added lastw yearâs State Title MVP Meg Norton â10. “We started slow out of the gate, just like last year, but we never got too worried, it didnât affect us. We knew we just had to work hard and stay together and everything would work itself out. This is a really tight knit group.”

While the Wolverines appear to be a favorite heading into playoffs with their perfect league record and winning streak, Black is taking nothing for granted.

“I like where we are at in terms of how we are playing. We need to continue to be good over time and everything else will take care of itself I try not to think too much about State.Â We have to get there first,” Black said.